Brad’s Woodworks in Venice Township near Attica is exactly what you would imagine a woodshop to be — large workbenches, a wall filled with every tool you could imagine, and the sweet smell of sawdust in the air. There are even two dogs that are eager to greet visitors at the door. It’s all part of the charm Brad Niedermier has incorporated into his business since 1996.  

Working in a barn built in 1915, Niedermier has spent the last 22 years creating unique products for his customers. His process has evolved a bit over the years, but the enjoyment he gets from woodworking hasn’t dimmed. His pride in his work is something that can be seen in every piece that leaves his shop. 

“I like taking something that looks terrible and turning it into something that’s very nice or wonderful again,” Niedermier said. “I get a lot of satisfaction out of that.”

In the beginning, Niedermier focused on antique furniture restoration, bringing old pieces back to life. But as the times changed and the pieces became less valuable compared to the time and money put into the restoration, he had to shift his focus to more custom work, such as entertainment centers, display cabinets, and kitchen restorations, as well as working with contractors who are building new homes and need trim and door work completed. 

“Really, I do a little bit of everything,” Niedermier said. A custom piece takes a couple of months on average to complete, and Niedermier starts the process by asking customers to bring in a sketch of what they would like to see. He has a couple of people who help him on occasion, but for the most part, Niedermier works alone to complete the pieces, making sure everything is completed on time. The month of December tends to be a busy time because everyone wants pieces completed for Christmas, but Niedermier is up for the task.

Woodworking started out as a bit of a family affair for Niedermier, as both his mother and father were involved in his work, even when he was young. Until he retired, Niedermier’s father was still doing lathe work. But Niedermier credits his mother with his early interest in woodworking and notes that she helped him refinish his first piece.

“She wasn’t into woodworking so much as antiques, but the two go hand in hand,” he said. “Usually we’d get a piece that was broken and needed to be fixed, so I would fix it.” 
To see some of Niedermier’s work for yourself, drive by the business. The decoration on the outside of the barn, as well as the fretwork on the front of his home and the cupola that sits on top of a small building that houses his wife Lori’s shop, were all projects he completed and remain some of his favorite work. They prove that Brad’s Woodworks is a small business doing big things, something that isn’t likely to change anytime soon.  

11351 E. Twp. Road 44, Attica, OH 44807
Phone: 419-426-1545